Port Louis, the city of Mauritius, and Karachi have been declared Sister Cities. The Lord Mayor of Port Louis, Reza Issack and City Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal on Monday signed a joint statement on the establishment of Sister City relationship between the two cities at City Nazim office here.
Consul General of Mauritius, officers of the city government, members of the delegation of Lord Mayor Port Louis and large number of media representatives were also present on the occasion.
The joint statement said that the municipal council of Port Louis acting on the common wish of the residents of the two cities decided to enter into a Sister City relationship with the city of Karachi to strengthen the bilateral coordination of two cities and to bring them closer to each other.
Working on the basis of the traditional Mauritius-Pakistan friendship, the two Sister Cities shall endeavour to further their social progress, urban development and the well being of their residents.
The statement further said that the attainment of these objectives is the unanimous aspiration of the residents of Port Louis and Karachi. "We shall work in close collaboration, on the existing foundation of friendship, towards greater understanding and mutual trust between the two cities and we shall also encourage and help residents of two cities by accelerating urban modernisation for social progress and well being; abiding by constitutional democracy for the protection of our free way of life; preserving our cultural heritage and encouraging the cultural, educational and scientific development of the Mauritian and Pakistani nationals living in each other's territory; relieving the suffering arising from natural disasters that may occur in either city and strengthening our mutual concern; promoting cooperation and exchanges in the fields of business, science and technology, culture, health, education, training and sports; maintaining regular contacts between each city for projects of mutual interest.
They would also study Local Government System of both the cities and implement the same within their jurisdiction/cities. For construction of buildings under intellectual/architectural history and improvement in Land Management Systems of Properties/Structuring of Bye-laws of different departments may be exchanged to promote for the betterment/welfare of the citizens of both the cities.
It further envisages examining the Master Plan/Health/Culture, education, training and sports activities of both the cities and also co-ordinate with each other for betterment & welfare of both the cities while the same may also be exchanged between both the local governments for betterment of both the cities.
To promote relationship between both the cities, prominent persons of various professions/vocations and officer & officials in shape of delegation may also be allowed to visit both the cities to promote the Local Government system of both the cities is also the part of declaration.
Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal on this occasion said that Karachi is being rapidly developing into a modern city while it is also fast making contact with other cities of the world which was unprecedented in the past.
"With this sister city agreement today, a positive message would be delivered in the world from Karachi and I hope with this agreement more closer relations would be developed between the citizens of two cities and the two municipal governments would try to resolve their problems with bilateral coordination. Karachi would be benefited from the visits of international delegations and agreements," he added. Lord Mayor Reza Issack while reciprocating same feelings said that Karachi and Port Louis have similarities as both of them are port cities with almost identical culture and added, "We would learn from each other in the future."
He said that it was the desire of our council to establish sister city relationship with Karachi. We have come here at the invitation of Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal and we are delighted to be in this city.